|
The
Yea story began way back on Saturday October 2nd, 1824, when
Hamilton Hume and William Hovell began their historic expedition
from the County of Cumberland, N.S.W.
Their
small party consisted of six men, two carts, three horses and
numerous dogs. The objective of the expedition was to explore the
land between Cumberland and Westernport. After crossing the
Goulburn River at what is now known as Molesworth on December the
4th Hovell recorded--"........the soil produces an abundance
of fine grass and both hills and lowlands are thinly covered with
timber. It is our opinion that we have not seen a more agreeable
and interesting country since leaving home."
Settlement
of the Yea district did not begin until 1837, but it soon
flourished. The town was first known as Muddy Creek, but in 1855
its name was changed to honour Colonel Lacey Walter Yea, who was
Officer in Charge of the Regiment. Colonel Yea was killed in
action during the Crimean War.
|
